Recovered memory: The use of biographic stories in the second and third generation of Valencian emigrants to the United States of America in the early 20th century (DOI: 10.2436/20.3000.02.32)

Abstract

When making use of the biographical method, it is quite common to collect stories directly from those who lived the narrated events. Those stories can be focused on either their entire life or specific aspects that the researcher considers relevant or important. There is an unwavering fact related to the research carried out on the recovery of the memory of Valencian immigrants to the United States of America during the first two decades of the 20th century: those who emigrated have already passed away.

One may think that their stories have also disappeared with them. However, thanks to exhaustive work with their descendants (sons, daughters, grandsons and granddaughters, nephews and nieces) making use of techniques that are closely related to this methodology (biographical interviews, analysis of correspondence and other documents such as photographs), it is still possible to recover assets that otherwise would have ended up disappearing.

The work presented here is organised around several specific issues. If someone narrates another's a life, what do they really remember? How do they remember it? How do they transmit it?

Key words: biographical method, Valencian immigrants in USA, recovered memory, emigrants' descendants

Original source: Perifèria. Revista de Recerca i Formació en Antropologia, 20(2): 271-289 (2015)